Integrity Oversight Victoria ('IOV') (formerly the Victorian Inspectorate) is responsible for monitoring and reviewing the performance of IBAC, the Victorian Ombudsman, and OVIC. It also handles Public Interest Disclosures relating to its own officers.
What types of complaints can you make?
You can complain about how integrity and oversight bodies carry out their work. This usually relates to delays, poor processes, lack of transparency, or unprofessional behaviour.
The IOV can help if you’re concerned about how the following bodies have handled a matter:
Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) or Victorian Ombudsman: Concerns about how IBAC or the Ombudsman handled your complaint:
- Taking too long to investigate or respond.
- Lack of communication or transparency.
- Unfair or dismissive treatment.
- Didn’t follow proper steps or protect whistleblowers.
Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC): Complaints about how OVIC handled Freedom of Information (FOI) or privacy matters.
- Long delays, missed deadlines, or poor communication.
- Inconsistent or unclear FOI decisions.
- Case closed by mistake or with no clear reason.
- Little to no explanation about outcomes.
Public Interest Disclosures (Whistleblower complaints): You can complain if a whistleblower report was handled badly, or someone was punished for speaking up.
- Mishandling reports of serious misconduct or corruption.
- Whistleblowers being treated unfairly or punished.
- Poor handling of internal reports.
Office of the Chief Examiner (OCE): Concerns about misuse of powers or failures to follow legal processes.
- Asking for irrelevant documents.
- Using powers without proper authorisation.
Victorian Auditor-General’s Office (VAGO): Issues with how audits are conducted or how powers are used.
- Unfair or inconsistent auditing practices.
- Poor or unclear recordkeeping.
- Misuse of authority and power.
Judicial Commission of Victoria: Concerns about misuse of powers or mishandling what whistleblower disclose.
- Failing to protect whistleblowers.
- Not following up on reports properly.
- Using powers without legal basis.
Public Interest Monitor (PIM): You can complain if PIM staff acted unprofessionally or failed to keep proper records.
Victoria Police (limited scope): Concerns about the use of secret or coercive powers in serious crime, terrorism, or surveillance cases (not general police conduct).
- Unlawful surveillance or phone tapping.
- Poor recordkeeping in secret operations.
Wage Inspectorate Victoria (WIV): Complaints about misuse of investigative powers or poor conduct by officers.
- Excessive document demands without reason.
- Poor treatment of workers or business owners.
Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission (PWSIC): You can complain if PWSIC handled a workplace process unfairly or unprofessionally.
- Being questioned without being told the reason.
- Lack of support during meetings.
- Not being culturally sensitive or being dismissive.
Victoria’s Office of the Special Investigator (OSI): Complaints about misuse of investigative powers or poor handling of misconduct or whistleblower matters.
- Unfair or unclear investigative processes.
- Mishandling of Public Interest Disclosures.
Other Agencies: You can also complain about how the following agencies use secret powers like surveillance or phone tapping:
- The Game Management Authority
- The Victorian Fisheries Authority
- The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
- The Environment Protection Authority (EPA)
Jurisdiction:
The IOV is has limited powers to hear complaints in Victoria. A complaint can be made about IBAC, Ombudsman, OVIC, IOV itself, and related integrity agencies in very limited circumstances.
Time Limits:
There is no fixed deadline for complaints, but public interest disclosures should be made within 12 months of becoming aware of the issue. Late complaints may still be accepted if there is a good reason for the delay.
IOV will not deal with complaints about:
- General council matters (Local Government Inspectorate or Ombudsman instead).
- Victorian government departments and agencies (unless relating to IBAC, Ombudsman, or OVIC oversight).
- General Victoria Police complaints.
- Universities, TAFEs, or lawyers.
- Privacy breaches by public agencies.
- Attempts to overturn IBAC, Ombudsman, or OVIC decisions.
- Changing a decision of another integrity agency.
- Making an order for compensation.
Who can you make a complaint against?
- IBAC and its officers.
- Victorian Ombudsman and its officers.
- Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC).
- Victorian Auditor-General’s Office (VAGO).
- Office of the Chief Examiner (OCE).
- Judicial Commission of Victoria.
- Public Interest Monitor (PIM).
- Victoria Police (covert powers only).
- Wage Inspectorate Victoria (WIV).
- Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission (PWSIC).
- Other bodies using covert powers (e.g. EPA, Fisheries Authority).
Are you eligible to make a complaint?
Who can make a complaint?
Anyone who has dealt with the bodies IBAC, the Victoria Ombudsman or OVIC, can complain.
Before you lodge a complaint:
Before reaching out to IOV, try resolving the issue directly with the agency first, unless it is inappropriate or unsafe.
Can you complain on behalf of someone?
Yes, you can complain on behalf of someone else, if you have an authority to act on their behalf.
Additional Information:
IOV services are free, you do not need a lawyer, but you may seek legal advice.
What can this body do to help?
- Refer complaints to a more suitable agency.
- Resolve issues informally by raising them with the agency.
- Conduct investigations into serious or systemic issues.
- Monitor or audit the use of powers.
- Recommend improvements, but cannot overturn decisions or order compensation.
How to prepare your complaint:
Format:
Complaints can be made online, by email, post, or phone.
Personal Details:
Name, contact details, and any relevant background (anonymous allowed).
Respondent’s Details:
Name of the integrity body you are complaining about.
Relevant Facts:
What happened, when, who was involved, steps you took, and what outcome you want.
Lodging your complaint and next steps:
Where to Lodge a Complaint:
- Online: Complete the IOV online form HERE.
- Email: info@vicinspectorate.vic.gov.au.
- Post: PO Box 617, Collins Street West, Melbourne VIC 8007.
- Phone: 1800 518 197
Receipt and Acknowledgement:
- IOV aims to acknowledge within 5 business days.
- You may be asked for more information.
Assessment & Investigation:
- IOV first checks if another agency is better placed to handle your issue.
- May resolve informally, or investigate if serious/systemic.
- Must investigate whistleblower complaints unless trivial, false, or outside its powers.
- Investigation outcomes are shared in writing but cannot be disclosed publicly.
More information:
Refer to the factsheet provided below for more information.
